bureau

Meaning

1. An administrative unit of government; office.
2. An organization or office for collecting or providing information or news.
3. An office (room where clerical or professional duties are performed).
4. A desk, usually with a cover and compartments that are located above the level of the writing surface rather than underneath, and often used for storing papers.
5. A chest of drawers for clothes.

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbjʊ.ɹəʊ/

Etymology

Unadapted borrowing from French bureau, earlier "coarse cloth (as desk cover), baize", from Old French burel (“woolen cloth”), diminutive of *bure (compare Middle French bure (“coarse woolen cloth”), French bourre (“hair, fluff”)), from Late Latin burra (“wool, fluff, shaggy cloth, coarse fabric”); akin to Ancient Greek βερβέριον (berbérion, “shabby garment”). Doublet of burel and borrel, taken from Old French.